Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Kenyans.co.ke
Published on 2024-03-28 04:15:01
A delegation of Kenyan officials, led by Trade Principal Secretary Alfred K’Ombudo, is gearing up for a high-level meeting with their US counterparts in the United States. The meeting, scheduled to take place from April 2 to 12, will be led by Assistant United States Trade Representative Constance Hamilton, as announced by the Office of the US Trade Representative.
This upcoming meeting will mark the fourth in-person negotiating round under the Strategic Trade and Investment Partnership (STIP) between the United States and Kenya. The discussions will focus on key areas such as agriculture, worker’s rights, and the environment. Additionally, officials will engage in conceptual discussions on customs and trade facilitation and inclusivity.
Despite the importance of the discussions, the Trade Representative has announced that the meeting will be closed to the press for the entire 10-day period. The last STIP meeting took place in January 2024 in Nairobi, and these regular engagements are aimed at making progress, improving mutual understanding, and resolving any differences between the two countries.
The STIP was officially launched on July 14, 2022, with the objective of establishing high-standard commitments in various areas to boost investment, promote sustainable and inclusive economic growth, and benefit workers, consumers, and businesses, including micro-, small-, and medium-sized enterprises. The partnership also aims to support economic integration within the African region.
In a previous visit to Kenya, US Trade Representative Katherine Tai engaged in trade discussions with officials from the Trade Ministry, including President William Ruto and other senior officials. However, she did not meet Public Service Cabinet Secretary Moses Kuria, who served as the Trade CS at the time. Tai reportedly declined to meet with Kuria, citing his extremist views expressed through social media posts and other remarks. Despite this, Ambassador Tai had constructive dialogues with President Ruto and other key figures.
These ongoing discussions between the United States and Kenya highlight the commitment of both countries to strengthening their trade and economic ties. The STIP negotiations play a crucial role in advancing cooperation and addressing various challenges to create a more favorable environment for trade and investment between the two nations.
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